Western Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and the Deputy Premier Roger Cook have been touted as the most likely to succeed Mr McGowan, who announced on Monday he would quit politics by the end of the week.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson is among those touted to potentially replace Mark McGowan as Premier.Multiple Labor sources indicated both senior ministers were expected to contest a ballot at an emergency Labor caucus meeting which is expected to be held within days. Both Mr Cook and Ms Sanderson are members of the state’s powerful left faction, while Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has also been suggested as an outside candidate.by the end of the week. Flanked by his wife Sarah and most of the front bench, Mr McGowan said he was exhausted after six years in the top job.Mr Cook, whose office confirmed he would be contesting the ballot, cancelled a trip to the United States on Monday.
Both he and Ms Sanderson are members of the left faction associated with the United Voice union movement. Ms Sanderson is understood to be considering whether to run on Monday afternoon.Trevor Collens “Internally, Amber is seen as in the ascendant,” one Labor source said, adding that while Mr McGowan’s resignation may hurt Labor’s brand in WA the timing meant his successor would have enough space to build a profile before the 2025 election.Ms Sanderson, 45, who was appointed to the Health portfolio 18 months ago, has been dealing with multiple crises across the state’s hospital system while also battling with a hostile nurses union over an ongoing pay dispute.